VOLUME OCTOBER 2001 b

October 23, 2001

MRS. MOSKOWITZ

Today I want to share something very special and deeply personal. And I want to give glory to the Lord for the way in which He answers prayers, even if, by human measurements of time, these prayers took many years before they got answered. Or I should say, before I saw the answers to my prayers and the prayers of others. I say this because, I believe, God answered as soon as I asked. But it takes awhile before the results are visible.

You see, over the years many Christians including myself, have been praying for Mrs. Neysa Moskowitz. Her daughter, Stacy, perished in the last "Son of Sam" shooting back in 1977. Well God has been working on Mrs. Moskowitz’s heart. I had written to her in the past, as I believe God directed me to do. I wrote again last month from prison, and the letter was well received.

Mrs. Moskowitz told a friend of mine, a woman who has befriended her over the years and who is in regular contact with Mrs. Moskowitz,. That she wants me to call her.

Right now I don’t know if I am ready for something like this. This is a delicate and difficult situation.. She has pain. I have painful memories. And quite honestly, I’m afraid and very nervous.

It is so hard to explain. I do want to speak with her. I want to apologize. I want to reach out to Mrs. Moskowitz and see her receive comfort from God. And I know that, even after twenty-five years, she still has anger. This is normal and understandable, of course.

Nevertheless, slowly but surely, a miracle is happening. God is working on her heart. He loves Mrs. Moskowitz. After all Jesus said that He came to this earth, in part, to "heal the brokenhearted" and to "comfort all that mourn" (Isaiah 61:1-3). So I believe, by faith, that the best is yet to come for her.

David Berkowitz

October 24, 2001

NO EXCUSES

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.

Luke 12:35

This morning we had our regular prayer meeting in the chapel, as we do almost every wednesday. I had a blessed time with the Lord, and it was good to see about six brothers in Christ, including my chaplain, all praying.

There were so many different needs. We know what is going on in or nation and overseas. i was grieved to hear about the two postal workers in the Washington, D.C. areea who were stricken with and who recently died from Anthrax. What a waste of lives. Ths is a dark time, but God is still in control. "He's got the whole world in His hands." as the popular song goes. I believe this.

And I want to say in my journal today that we Christians know what time it is. We cannot know the day or the hour of the Lord's return. Yet we have no excuse not to be about our Master's business, even if it is simply making intercessory prayers in behalf of the Church, the "lost", or for our nation and her leaders.

I likewise believe that we're living in the church's greatest hours since perhaps the "Day of Pentecost" when the Holy Spirit fell upon the 120 belivers as they prayed and waited upon the Lord. then, as they went forth in the Spirit's power, they "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).

Yes, there has been a "falling away" and many churches have, over the years, departed from the faith. But there are still many more people in this world who, right now, are very open to the gospel. Their world is being shaken in many ways. the foundations so many have trusted in are caving in. People are fearful. Many are hurting. Surely, then, this must be the perfect season to proclaim Jesus' words of salvation, hope and truth!

David Berkowitz

October 24, 2001

"PRISONERS AIDED CAUSE"

Many times people look at prisoners through a dark glass. but they can never see clearly when they do.

So I was encouraged by a letter I received today from a friend of mine, Billy. He sent me a copy of a letter written by a prison inmate which was sent to and published in the Omaha News.

The letter was so decent and positive. It said all that one can say. I think, too, that this man expressed the views of tens of thousands of prison inmates all across America, myself included. And here is the letter, word for word:

Omaha News, Public Pulse Section, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001

"Prisoners Aided Cause"

"As a person who has conducted his own sort of terrorism against the United States by breaking common law,

for which I am incarcerated, I inform the American people that many who are in the prison system are ashamed of our actions.

We were watching TV the morning of September 11, and we were very heart-stricken and overwhelmed by a sense of worthlessness and helplessness.

Many of us asked if we could in some way donate to the Red Cross. Unfortunately, we were turned down due to a policy stating that you must be incarcerated for a year before you can donate. Yet, we wanted to help somehow. An undetermined amount of money was donated by prisoners throughout the state penitentiary. I wish we cold do more, and our prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

We hope our donations are accepted by the American people, and our heartfelt tears are felt across this great nation."

(signed) James Watson, Prisoner, Lincoln, Nebraska

 

David Berkowitz

October 29, 2001

SIXTEEN DEAD

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15

I don't know how anyone could think that Christians are supposed teo be exempt from being a part of the suffering and sorrow that goes on in this world, because we're not. The difference, however, is that a Christian knows, even if tragedy comes his or her way, the Lord's grace will see them through, providing strength, hope and comfort.

I was saddened by the news that Muslim extremists charged into a church in Pakistan and opened fire with rifles and pistols, and shot dead sixteen men, women, and children.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to be in a church building on a beautiful Sunday morning, praying and worshipping the Lord, and then suddenly be faced with violent death.

These sixteen Pakistani Christans were my brothers and sisters in the faith. They died as martyrs, paying the ultimate price for claiming the name of

Jesus as their Lord, and not Mohammed.

I look forward to the day when these dear brethren, their innocent blood having been spilled on a church floor, will each receive a special martyr's crown.

Likewise, I rejoice knowing that they're now in God's presence, forever shielded from this world's hatred, ignorance and random violence.

These saints are blessed to be home in glory. Hallelujah!

David Berkowitz

October 30, 2001

MARTYRS IN PAKISTAN

I want to comment more on the deaths of sixteen of my family members. I first wrote about this in yesterday's journal. And now I have in front of me the Associated Press account as it was written in my local newspaper. "Christian Church in Pakistan Scene of Massacre; 16 Dead" (The Times-Herald Record, Monday, October 29, 2001; page 5).

The weapons which evil people tried to form against them failed. Would someone please tell those Muslim fanatical fools, that to kill a Christian is simply to send that person home to heaven and right into the loving arms of Jesus!

Yes, the Devil may have shot sixteen Christians. But he also shot himself in the foot. I believe that, somehow, God will see to it that more people get blessed by this tragedy than have suffered from it. I know that the message of salvation through Jesus Christ will now spread even further into this predominantly Muslim country.

Likewise, I believe that "all things" will work togther for good to those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28). And while I do not understand the mechanics of how this works, I just know that it happens.

Now the gospel will spread further into Pakistan. Over time, more people will be added to God's kingdom. The blood of these precious saints was not spilled in vain. They have, in fact, already overcome all things, even death.

David Berkowitz